Chapter 13 - Grandma Peg
A/N: I do not own Twilight, Stephanie Meyer does. Ruby is all mine.
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“Farewell. God knows when we shall meet again.” – William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, 4.3
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When Ruby woke the next morning she was aware of a dull ache between her legs. She was unsure for a moment as to why until the events of last night flashed through her mind like a movie on fast forward. Turning her head to look at Jacob, who was sprawled out, one arm under his head, the other holding Ruby close to him, she slapped a hand over her mouth and giggled softly.
She couldn’t believe how amazing the night before was. She’d gotten engaged and she had lost her virginity. She had great sex for the first time, granted she had nothing to compare it to but she just knew that her first time couldn’t have been more perfect.
Last night had been the first time she had been naked in front of anybody since she was a kid and she couldn’t believe she felt comfortable enough to fall asleep next to someone like that. It was also the first time she ever saw anyone naked before and after seeing Jacob’s magnificent form, she knew no one could compare to him.
He had a thin sheet draped tantalizing low over him, showing part of his left hipbone and most of his right thigh but all the important parts were covered and she seriously considered reaching for the sheet and moving it out of the way, which only made her crack up laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Jacob’s voice was husky and heavy with sleep.
“You’re going to think I’m weird if I tell you.”
Jacob chuckled before answering. “I already think you’re weird.”
“I was seriously considering pulling the sheet off of you… but I was afraid I would blush so bad my head would explode.”
“You wanted to pull the sheet off of me?” He sounded shocked.
“Yeah. What can I say, you’re irresistible.”
“You think I’m irresistible?” he teased, getting the blush from her that he wanted.
“Of course I do, and I’m not the only one.”
“I told you I don’t care about anyone else. I only care about you.”
She bit her lip and smiled mischievously. “I think you’re going to have to convince me… one more time.”
Jacob’s eyes widened and a slow smile spread across his face as he reached for her, burying his face into her neck and kissing her. “Who knew you were such a nympho?”
“I just can’t seem to get enough of you,” she giggled, finally pulling the sheet away at the same time she stopped clutching the blanket covering her naked body. He growled when it fell away, exposing her body to his gaze. He turned them over, so he towered over her and he spent the rest of the morning convincing her.
After an early morning in bed, Ruby and Jacob remembered that they had other things to do besides staying in wrapped up around one another. Before meeting up with the Cullens at the clearing later that night Ruby had promised to be at her grandmother’s house and Jacob had obligations with the pack.
Ruby threw on a pair of jeans, opened the bottom drawer of the dresser – the one Jacob was kind enough to clean out for her - and pulled on the first shirt her hand came into contact with. Jacob changed into a ragged pair of cutoffs. Together they walked out the front door.
“So, I’ll meet you at the clearing at eight, ok?”
“Sure. Tell your grandmother I said hi.” He leaned into her, one hand cradling her hip, the other wrapped in her hair pulling her closer as he kissed her. Ruby tried to hold back the moan but it was useless and Jacob pulled back smirking. “I love you. See you at eight.”
When Ruby arrived at her grandmother’s house and parked her car in the driveway, it was already noon. She knocked once, then let herself in using her key. The first thing she noticed were boxes and oversized black garbage bags. They were everywhere; covering the sofa, teetering on the coffee table, stacked up against the wall.
“Grandma?” she called out. Hearing her grandmother’s voice coming somewhere from the back, she followed it and saw Margaret coming from the kitchen followed by two young men. “What’s all this?”
“Redecorating.”
“Redecorating? Now?” Margaret pulled Ruby into the living room, out of earshot of the boys.
“Yes, now. With you and Jacob running off to fight vampires, I needed a distraction.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“What’s up with you? You look different. You look….” Then her grandmother tilted her head to look at something on her neck. “Oh goddess. I’m guessing the spell didn’t blow up in your face for it to have such a – uh – physical outcome.” She brought her hand up to Ruby’s neck and tapped it, raising her eyebrow.
Ruby turned five shades of red as she realized she obviously had a hickey. “Grandma, behave.”
Margaret gave Ruby her most innocent face. “I always do.”
“Yeah right. I think the little angel and devil on your shoulders just died of laughter.”
“Oh hush.”
“So, is the fact that I have a red spot on my neck the only thing you notice?” Ruby said wiggling her fingers in front of her grandmother’s face.
There was a high pitched squeal that followed and Ruby was beyond shocked to note that it came from her grandmother.
“Congratulations, my child.” Margaret started to get teary eyed as Ruby hugged her. “Forgive an old woman. I get emotional far too easily. Come. Let’s eat lunch. Then I have some things for you.”
Ruby was surprised once again when she walked into the kitchen and realized what her grandmother made for lunch. Roast beef, potatoes and carrots, all covered in her homemade gravy.
“Grandma, ain’t this more of a dinner type of meal?”
“Yes it is but I doubt you’ll have time for dinner tonight so I made it for lunch.”
Ruby wondered why she felt unsettled about everything. There was a nagging in the back of her head trying to tell her something but for the life of her she couldn’t figure out what it was. She was far too nervous about the battle to think about anything else and figured the nagging would become clearer after the fight was over. Plus, she didn’t see anything of concern in her grandmother’s aura, just happiness.
Ruby ate quickly and got up to get a second serving. There was a part of her that knew she wouldn’t be able to eat again until tomorrow, until after the battle. Then there was an even smaller part of her that worried that this might be her last meal, that there was a chance – it didn’t matter how small or how great – that she might not leave that clearing alive. The thought made her shudder.
After lunch, Margaret led Ruby upstairs to the room where they performed the disenchantment spell. There was a stack of folded boxes against the wall and a roll of clear masking tape.
“Are you packing things up in here?” Ruby was clearly confused.
Her grandmother hesitated for a moment before answering, “Of course not. I’m keeping the spare boxes in here.” She sighed then changed the subject. “Did you tell Jacob about the spell?” Ruby went into the story of how she looked for any attraction between Jacob and Bella and found none from him but some from Bella, how he felt something was wrong with her and how he was upset when she told him but how he understood. Then she told him how he proposed.
“So, I plead temporary insanity for even considering our love was magic created.”
“Well, I’m not one to say I told you so…”
“Since when?”
“You’re right. I told you so.” Ruby smiled and rolled her eyes playfully. “You know what my passive power is.” Ruby knew it was the ability to see connections in people. “Yet you still doubted.” Ruby bit her lip and shrugged. “I’ll tell you, what my mother told me and what I told your mother: even the smartest person is a fool when in love.”
“Tell me about it,” she said dryly.
They were quiet for a moment, as Ruby and Margaret walked around the room, selecting the materials needed for the spell they were going to perform.
“You know,” Margaret began as she lowered herself to the floor, with some help from Ruby, “the two of you are going to be alright. You were made for each other; two halves of a whole. Jacob is a good man; they don’t make them like him anymore.”
“Yeah. I feel like I hit the lotto with him,” she answered back, sitting across the table and helping to set the altar.
“He reminds me of my Thomas. Dependable, respectful, sweet, always with a smile. You found your Thomas.”
Ruby thought of the last time she saw her grandparents together.
They were in the field that surrounded her parents’ house, flowers of all colors and scents surrounded them as they sat in the dirt. Thomas was sixty and looked every one of his days, Margaret looked like she was pushing forty even though she was over a hundred. Ruby wanted to play with them but when she came across them, Thomas’ arms wrapped around Margaret lovingly, as they gazed into each other’s eyes as if nothing else mattered, she came to a stop. She sat down a few yards away and watched them. She remembered that it was earlier that day that her family told her about her grandpa’s illness, told her that he would be with the God and Goddess soon and she just wanted to save this memory, to absorb it so she could call upon it with clarity when he was no longer with them.
He died the next day, in the guest room of her parent’s house, his family by his side.
“I miss grandpa.” Ruby waited for Margaret to say ‘I miss him too’ like she always does but instead she just sighed and said “I know.”
Ruby furrowed her brows in confusion but Margaret smiled at her and said, “Well, the circle isn’t going to cast itself.”
“Right.” Ruby nodded and went about the steps necessary. After a few minutes, she turned to her grandmother and asked, “What are we doing?”
“A protection spell. I want to make sure you and everyone else who will be on that field has the goddess looking after them. Later tonight I want you to draw down the moon.”
“But I’ve never down that before.”
“There is a first time for everything. You’ve seen me do it before. You’ll be fine.” Ruby nodded her head but was still a little nervous. Not from fear of what would happen but from fear of not being able to do it. She’d seen her grandmother do it before and she was in a trance for a while, she even muttered some things, before snapping out of it.
“Ok. I’ll do it.”
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A few hours later, Ruby was at the door, saying goodbye to her grandmother, the protection spell done.
“Before you go, I have something for you.” Margaret disappeared into the living room for a second then came back with two garment boxes. “These used to be mine. I wore them the first time I fought in a battle. My family was fighting against a rival coven. I can’t even remember what it was about now, it was so long ago. I do know we won. Maybe it’ll bring you luck.”
“Thank you.” Ruby opened the boxes. “You wore this?”
“Hey, I will have you know I had quite the figure back in my day.”
“Oh. I believe you grandma. I got to get going. I love you.” Margaret suddenly got somber.
“I love you, my child, and Jacob too. Watch out for each other… and not just tonight, for always.”
“We will.”
“Promise.” Ruby blinked at the sternness in her grandmother’s voice.
“I promise. Are you sure, you want to stay here tonight? Emily said you could stay with them at her house.” Margaret began shaking her head before Ruby was done talking.
“No. I’ll be fine here.”
“Ok.” Ruby leaned in and gave her a tight hug. She didn’t want to say goodbye, wouldn’t use the word, but she needed to let her grandmother know how she felt about her. She may very well die tomorrow, anyone of them fight can, and if she did, she wanted to leave her grandmother with love. “I don’t know where I would be without you. You’ve given me so very much in my life and I want you to know I am grateful for everything you did for me. I love you, grandma.” Ruby leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek before pulling out of the hug.
“I love you too my beautiful child. Send Jacob all my love.” Margaret cupped Ruby’s cheek, smiling at her, before letting her go. She watched as Ruby picked up the garment boxes, got into her SUV and drove away.
“Joseph. Conner.” Margaret called out and the two older teens that were helping her pack up, showed up. “You boys have done enough. Thank you so much.” She pressed a few bills into their hands.
“Mrs. Taylor, this is too much.” Joseph said, turning to look at Conner. “We can’t take this for you.” He waved the three hundred dollars in the air.
“Boys, you made my day so much easier. It would have taken an old broad like me weeks to do what you two did in a few hours. Please take the money.” They looked skeptical but then nodded their heads. “I was wondering if you would do me one more favor.”
“Anything Mrs. Taylor.”
She reached into the drawer in the hallway table and pulled out a yellow manila envelope. “I need you to deliver this for me. It has to be delivered tomorrow. Can you do that?”
“Yes. Who is it going to?”
“The package is for Moon Star but I want you to deliver it to a Mrs. Emily Uley, to hold until she can give it to Moon Star. Emily lives in La Push.” She handed him a pink post it note. “Here is her address.”
“No problem. We’ll deliver tomorrow.”
“Thank you boys. Now get. Enjoy the rest of this beautiful day.”
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“Farewell. God knows when we shall meet again.” – William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, 4.3
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When Ruby woke the next morning she was aware of a dull ache between her legs. She was unsure for a moment as to why until the events of last night flashed through her mind like a movie on fast forward. Turning her head to look at Jacob, who was sprawled out, one arm under his head, the other holding Ruby close to him, she slapped a hand over her mouth and giggled softly.
She couldn’t believe how amazing the night before was. She’d gotten engaged and she had lost her virginity. She had great sex for the first time, granted she had nothing to compare it to but she just knew that her first time couldn’t have been more perfect.
Last night had been the first time she had been naked in front of anybody since she was a kid and she couldn’t believe she felt comfortable enough to fall asleep next to someone like that. It was also the first time she ever saw anyone naked before and after seeing Jacob’s magnificent form, she knew no one could compare to him.
He had a thin sheet draped tantalizing low over him, showing part of his left hipbone and most of his right thigh but all the important parts were covered and she seriously considered reaching for the sheet and moving it out of the way, which only made her crack up laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Jacob’s voice was husky and heavy with sleep.
“You’re going to think I’m weird if I tell you.”
Jacob chuckled before answering. “I already think you’re weird.”
“I was seriously considering pulling the sheet off of you… but I was afraid I would blush so bad my head would explode.”
“You wanted to pull the sheet off of me?” He sounded shocked.
“Yeah. What can I say, you’re irresistible.”
“You think I’m irresistible?” he teased, getting the blush from her that he wanted.
“Of course I do, and I’m not the only one.”
“I told you I don’t care about anyone else. I only care about you.”
She bit her lip and smiled mischievously. “I think you’re going to have to convince me… one more time.”
Jacob’s eyes widened and a slow smile spread across his face as he reached for her, burying his face into her neck and kissing her. “Who knew you were such a nympho?”
“I just can’t seem to get enough of you,” she giggled, finally pulling the sheet away at the same time she stopped clutching the blanket covering her naked body. He growled when it fell away, exposing her body to his gaze. He turned them over, so he towered over her and he spent the rest of the morning convincing her.
After an early morning in bed, Ruby and Jacob remembered that they had other things to do besides staying in wrapped up around one another. Before meeting up with the Cullens at the clearing later that night Ruby had promised to be at her grandmother’s house and Jacob had obligations with the pack.
Ruby threw on a pair of jeans, opened the bottom drawer of the dresser – the one Jacob was kind enough to clean out for her - and pulled on the first shirt her hand came into contact with. Jacob changed into a ragged pair of cutoffs. Together they walked out the front door.
“So, I’ll meet you at the clearing at eight, ok?”
“Sure. Tell your grandmother I said hi.” He leaned into her, one hand cradling her hip, the other wrapped in her hair pulling her closer as he kissed her. Ruby tried to hold back the moan but it was useless and Jacob pulled back smirking. “I love you. See you at eight.”
When Ruby arrived at her grandmother’s house and parked her car in the driveway, it was already noon. She knocked once, then let herself in using her key. The first thing she noticed were boxes and oversized black garbage bags. They were everywhere; covering the sofa, teetering on the coffee table, stacked up against the wall.
“Grandma?” she called out. Hearing her grandmother’s voice coming somewhere from the back, she followed it and saw Margaret coming from the kitchen followed by two young men. “What’s all this?”
“Redecorating.”
“Redecorating? Now?” Margaret pulled Ruby into the living room, out of earshot of the boys.
“Yes, now. With you and Jacob running off to fight vampires, I needed a distraction.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“What’s up with you? You look different. You look….” Then her grandmother tilted her head to look at something on her neck. “Oh goddess. I’m guessing the spell didn’t blow up in your face for it to have such a – uh – physical outcome.” She brought her hand up to Ruby’s neck and tapped it, raising her eyebrow.
Ruby turned five shades of red as she realized she obviously had a hickey. “Grandma, behave.”
Margaret gave Ruby her most innocent face. “I always do.”
“Yeah right. I think the little angel and devil on your shoulders just died of laughter.”
“Oh hush.”
“So, is the fact that I have a red spot on my neck the only thing you notice?” Ruby said wiggling her fingers in front of her grandmother’s face.
There was a high pitched squeal that followed and Ruby was beyond shocked to note that it came from her grandmother.
“Congratulations, my child.” Margaret started to get teary eyed as Ruby hugged her. “Forgive an old woman. I get emotional far too easily. Come. Let’s eat lunch. Then I have some things for you.”
Ruby was surprised once again when she walked into the kitchen and realized what her grandmother made for lunch. Roast beef, potatoes and carrots, all covered in her homemade gravy.
“Grandma, ain’t this more of a dinner type of meal?”
“Yes it is but I doubt you’ll have time for dinner tonight so I made it for lunch.”
Ruby wondered why she felt unsettled about everything. There was a nagging in the back of her head trying to tell her something but for the life of her she couldn’t figure out what it was. She was far too nervous about the battle to think about anything else and figured the nagging would become clearer after the fight was over. Plus, she didn’t see anything of concern in her grandmother’s aura, just happiness.
Ruby ate quickly and got up to get a second serving. There was a part of her that knew she wouldn’t be able to eat again until tomorrow, until after the battle. Then there was an even smaller part of her that worried that this might be her last meal, that there was a chance – it didn’t matter how small or how great – that she might not leave that clearing alive. The thought made her shudder.
After lunch, Margaret led Ruby upstairs to the room where they performed the disenchantment spell. There was a stack of folded boxes against the wall and a roll of clear masking tape.
“Are you packing things up in here?” Ruby was clearly confused.
Her grandmother hesitated for a moment before answering, “Of course not. I’m keeping the spare boxes in here.” She sighed then changed the subject. “Did you tell Jacob about the spell?” Ruby went into the story of how she looked for any attraction between Jacob and Bella and found none from him but some from Bella, how he felt something was wrong with her and how he was upset when she told him but how he understood. Then she told him how he proposed.
“So, I plead temporary insanity for even considering our love was magic created.”
“Well, I’m not one to say I told you so…”
“Since when?”
“You’re right. I told you so.” Ruby smiled and rolled her eyes playfully. “You know what my passive power is.” Ruby knew it was the ability to see connections in people. “Yet you still doubted.” Ruby bit her lip and shrugged. “I’ll tell you, what my mother told me and what I told your mother: even the smartest person is a fool when in love.”
“Tell me about it,” she said dryly.
They were quiet for a moment, as Ruby and Margaret walked around the room, selecting the materials needed for the spell they were going to perform.
“You know,” Margaret began as she lowered herself to the floor, with some help from Ruby, “the two of you are going to be alright. You were made for each other; two halves of a whole. Jacob is a good man; they don’t make them like him anymore.”
“Yeah. I feel like I hit the lotto with him,” she answered back, sitting across the table and helping to set the altar.
“He reminds me of my Thomas. Dependable, respectful, sweet, always with a smile. You found your Thomas.”
Ruby thought of the last time she saw her grandparents together.
They were in the field that surrounded her parents’ house, flowers of all colors and scents surrounded them as they sat in the dirt. Thomas was sixty and looked every one of his days, Margaret looked like she was pushing forty even though she was over a hundred. Ruby wanted to play with them but when she came across them, Thomas’ arms wrapped around Margaret lovingly, as they gazed into each other’s eyes as if nothing else mattered, she came to a stop. She sat down a few yards away and watched them. She remembered that it was earlier that day that her family told her about her grandpa’s illness, told her that he would be with the God and Goddess soon and she just wanted to save this memory, to absorb it so she could call upon it with clarity when he was no longer with them.
He died the next day, in the guest room of her parent’s house, his family by his side.
“I miss grandpa.” Ruby waited for Margaret to say ‘I miss him too’ like she always does but instead she just sighed and said “I know.”
Ruby furrowed her brows in confusion but Margaret smiled at her and said, “Well, the circle isn’t going to cast itself.”
“Right.” Ruby nodded and went about the steps necessary. After a few minutes, she turned to her grandmother and asked, “What are we doing?”
“A protection spell. I want to make sure you and everyone else who will be on that field has the goddess looking after them. Later tonight I want you to draw down the moon.”
“But I’ve never down that before.”
“There is a first time for everything. You’ve seen me do it before. You’ll be fine.” Ruby nodded her head but was still a little nervous. Not from fear of what would happen but from fear of not being able to do it. She’d seen her grandmother do it before and she was in a trance for a while, she even muttered some things, before snapping out of it.
“Ok. I’ll do it.”
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A few hours later, Ruby was at the door, saying goodbye to her grandmother, the protection spell done.
“Before you go, I have something for you.” Margaret disappeared into the living room for a second then came back with two garment boxes. “These used to be mine. I wore them the first time I fought in a battle. My family was fighting against a rival coven. I can’t even remember what it was about now, it was so long ago. I do know we won. Maybe it’ll bring you luck.”
“Thank you.” Ruby opened the boxes. “You wore this?”
“Hey, I will have you know I had quite the figure back in my day.”
“Oh. I believe you grandma. I got to get going. I love you.” Margaret suddenly got somber.
“I love you, my child, and Jacob too. Watch out for each other… and not just tonight, for always.”
“We will.”
“Promise.” Ruby blinked at the sternness in her grandmother’s voice.
“I promise. Are you sure, you want to stay here tonight? Emily said you could stay with them at her house.” Margaret began shaking her head before Ruby was done talking.
“No. I’ll be fine here.”
“Ok.” Ruby leaned in and gave her a tight hug. She didn’t want to say goodbye, wouldn’t use the word, but she needed to let her grandmother know how she felt about her. She may very well die tomorrow, anyone of them fight can, and if she did, she wanted to leave her grandmother with love. “I don’t know where I would be without you. You’ve given me so very much in my life and I want you to know I am grateful for everything you did for me. I love you, grandma.” Ruby leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek before pulling out of the hug.
“I love you too my beautiful child. Send Jacob all my love.” Margaret cupped Ruby’s cheek, smiling at her, before letting her go. She watched as Ruby picked up the garment boxes, got into her SUV and drove away.
“Joseph. Conner.” Margaret called out and the two older teens that were helping her pack up, showed up. “You boys have done enough. Thank you so much.” She pressed a few bills into their hands.
“Mrs. Taylor, this is too much.” Joseph said, turning to look at Conner. “We can’t take this for you.” He waved the three hundred dollars in the air.
“Boys, you made my day so much easier. It would have taken an old broad like me weeks to do what you two did in a few hours. Please take the money.” They looked skeptical but then nodded their heads. “I was wondering if you would do me one more favor.”
“Anything Mrs. Taylor.”
She reached into the drawer in the hallway table and pulled out a yellow manila envelope. “I need you to deliver this for me. It has to be delivered tomorrow. Can you do that?”
“Yes. Who is it going to?”
“The package is for Moon Star but I want you to deliver it to a Mrs. Emily Uley, to hold until she can give it to Moon Star. Emily lives in La Push.” She handed him a pink post it note. “Here is her address.”
“No problem. We’ll deliver tomorrow.”
“Thank you boys. Now get. Enjoy the rest of this beautiful day.”
